Gastritis: Symptoms and Common Causes

Gastritis refers to a number of conditions that are all primarily characterized by the inflammation of the stomach lining. These conditions can cause a variety of symptoms. Patients with gastritis particularly experience having a burning ache in their upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and bloating or feeling full after eating. In severe cases, gastritis can also cause a patient to vomit blood, have blood in their stools, or have stools that appear black in color.

There are several reasons why patients develop gastritis. Anything that could cause weakness in the mucus barrier lining the stomach walls can be a cause for concern. Risk factors include bacterial infection, excessive alcohol intake, stress, and old age. Gastritis is also a common side effect of certain types of medication. For example, the regular use of pain relieving medication such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen can have a profound effect on a person’s stomach lining. Another medication known to cause gastritis is the blood thinning drug called Xarelto.

While gastritis might seem like a minor condition, it can cause a host of complications when left untreated. The biggest danger is stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding. This is particularly true for gastritis caused by Xarelto, as the drug has been noted to cause adverse gastrointestinal bleeding in some cases. In rare instances, gastritis might also increase one’s risk of developing stomach cancer later in life.

Patients experiencing the early signs of gastritis will need to be sensitive to their symptoms and seek medical attention right away. In cases where gastritis is caused as a side effect to taking Xarelto, patients also have the choice to seek recourse through legal action against the drug’s manufacturers. As noted by Williams Kherkher Law Firm, the occurrence of such side effects happens when pharmaceuticals fail to fully disclose the possible effects caused by their products. Since gastritis can easily lead to alarming complications, patients taking Xarelto need to be aware of the risks involved in their treatment plans.